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FC TWENTE SEASON PREVIEW

FC Twente are a club in recent times suffering from the development of young players. The clubs recent record of discovering uncut diamonds and selling them onwards for a large transfer fee has no doubt damaged Twente’s chances of capturing another Eredivisie title anytime soon. Despite recent success under title winning manager, Steve McClaren, the Enschede club have attempted to bring back the successful campaigns under the Englishman with new manager Alfred Schreuder writes Shane Burns.

Finishing third in the Eredivisie should be considered a success figuring the size of the club, but the ambitions owners and fans have refused to settle for finishing outside of the Champions League places and deem the season a success. The performances of Dušan Tadić last season really captured the fans hearts with his energy and committment to the cause and after losing the Serbian to Southampton this summer, fans can a major reason to be cautious prior to the season commencing.

Manager Alfred Schreuder has brought in PEC Zwolle’s defensive rock Darryl Lachman during the summer window to try fill the void left when Brazilian defender, Douglas, left for Dinamo Moscow in Russia in 2013. Lachman’s impressive ball control skills and leadership he shown for Zwolle on numerous occasions could prove to be the difference in the side finishing third and obtaining their Champions League status once again.

Twente’s balance in their squad will prove pivotal to any success they have in the coming season and with Schreuder they have a freshness that has seemed to be lacking in recent times. In club captain, Andreas Bjelland, the 2009 league champions, have the leader required to bring back success that once occurred only five years ago.

Cambuur will be the first hurdle the club will need to overcome should it want to become Champions or even qualify for the Champions League. Qualification won’t be an easy task this season with Feyenoord, PSV, Ajax and AZ Alkmaar will all by vying for the two places to dine at European football’s finest table.

FC Twente as of yet are going into the new Eredivisie season unbeaten in pre-season which included the club becoming victorious in a 0-10 victory on their opening match. Fortunately for Alfred Schreuder, his side didn’t have anyone in the later stages of the World Cup tournament in Brazil throughout June, so no issue of fatigue can arise once their campaign begins.

There is no denying of FC Twente’s ability to make this campaign a success and achieve a high placed finish in the Eredivisie this season, and possibly achieve a cup victory to help cement a legacy of the golden era of the club arising back to the end of the previous decade. With an injury free campaign and fortune favouring them, a strong point could be made for Twente to have a successful Eredivisie season.

MANAGER – ALFRED SCHREUDER

Alfred Schreuder has been appointed the new FC Twente manager for the coming season after his relatively short stint in charge of the club as interim manager when Steve McClaren left his role last February. Assistant manager of the club for four years previously it seems to make perfect sense that the former Twente player would be appointed on a full-time basis from July 1st.

KEY PLAYER – KASPER KUSK

Danish international Kusk has signed this summer from AaB after an impressive start to his career at his hometown club. Danish players playing in the Eredivisie is becoming a recent success story and with Kusk’s low centre of gravity and quick pace, there’s no denying he could follow Dane, Christian Eriksen, to the Premier League after already attracting interest from a host of European football’s finest clubs.